Curb box having locating magnet therein



April 5, 1960 H. E. HANDLEY CURB BOX HAVING LOCATING MAGNET THBREIN 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 13, 1957 INVENTOR H/mom HAND/45') BY wgw-- ATTORNEY i I I I 0 7M On. fl 2. I I I l J n r l k H 4 v April 5, 1960 H. E. HANDLEY cums BOX HAVING LOCATING MAGNET THEREIN FilQd Feb. 15, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I N VE NTOR H. W 5% m 0 MAW ATTORNEY CURB BOX HAVING LOCATING MAGNET THEREIN Harold E. Handley, Jackson, Mich., assignor to Handley Brown Heater Company, Jackson, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application February '13, 1957, Serial No. 639,912 7 Claims. (Cl; 137-369) This invention relates to an improved curb boxsuch as would be used by public utility companies or the like to provide access to underground gas, water, oil, etc., valves.

It is the object of this invention to produce a curb box which is light weight to minimize shipping costs, yet is non-corrosive and strong enough to withstand stresses which may be imposed upon it.

A further object of this invention is to produce a curb box which may be easily adjusted for height and will yield if subjected to abnormal pressures.

Another object ofthis invention is to produce a curb box which may easily be located even though covered by dirt, grass, etc.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following specification, claimsand illustrative drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a view of the curb box assembly shown installed in the ground,

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on line II-II of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the cap,

Fig. 4 is a view of the extension rod removed from the assembly,

Fig. 5 is a vertical view in partial section of a modified iorm of the invention,

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on line VI--VI of Fig. 5, and

Fig. '7 is a vertical cross-section of another form of cap for large size installation.

In the illustrated embodiment, the curb box consists of housing or bell 10 which is of a substantially tubular configuration. Openings 12 are' provided in the bell to to permit the service line 14- to extend through the bell. A base 1-6 supports the lower end of bell 1t) and is centered on the bell by bosses 18 which encircle a portion of the bell.

' A valve 2.0 of the service line bell 1-0 and the valve gate is operated by stud 22.

The upper portion of bell 10 is provided with a bore 24 in which the lower section 26 is cemented. Section 26 is a tubular member formed with a bore 28. Within bore 28 the upper section 39 is telescopically fitted. Thus, upper section 30 may be adjustably positioned within lower section 26. Section 26 is provided with a set screw 32 which holds upper section 39 in the desired position during assembly. The upper section 3% is formed 'with arcuate slots 34 for purposes later described.

- A yoke 36 is cemented to the upper end of the upper section 30, the top of. the yoke 36 being flush with the top of the upper section 30. The main body of yoke 36 is cylindrical as at 33 and is provided with bore 6 which enables the yoke to slip on section 39. Diametrica'lly opposed pockets 42 are formed adjacent bore 49 and extend the length of yoke 36 and magnets 44 are sealed within the pockets 42. Yoke 36 is also formed 14 is housed within the 2,931,383 Patented Apr. 5, 1-960 2 with wings 46 which, when the curb box is placed in the ground, will prevent the curb box from rotating.

A cap 48 is adapted to be attached to the upper section 30. Cap 48 consists of a plug 50 through which extends pin 52. Integral with plug 50 is flange 54 in which is formed wrench engaging projection 56 and holes 58. When attaching the cap to the curb box the plug 50 is inserted in the bore of upper section 30 and pin 52 engages slots 34. Therefore, when the cap is given a rotating motion by a wrench engaging either projection 56 or holes 58 the cap 48 will be drawn down tightly upon the yoke 36 and upper section 30, sealing off the access to the interior of the curb box.

An important feature of the invention resides in the fact that all of the elements of the curb box, except the magnets, are preferably made of a light, inert, nonmagnetic, non-corrosive material such as cellulose acetate, butyrate, acrylonitrile, a rubber molding compound or the like. The use of this type of material is permitted by the simplified construction and is advantageous in that a light curb box is produced which will not rust and corrode even though submerged in damp ground.

The non-magnetic feature of the curb box is important in that the box does not interfere with the magnetic field produced by the magnets 44. Should the curb box become buried under dirt, grass, leaves, etc., the

' cap 48 may be easily located by the use of a dip needle or common compass which will be attracted by the magnets 44.

In order to operate thefvalve 20 from the ground surface extension means must'be provided from the valve to a point near the surface. This is accomplished by an extension rod 60 which is formed with an end 62 which coacts with stud 22 and extends upwardly within the lower and upper sections '26 and 30, respectively. The upper end 64 is'formed with flat surfaces and may be engaged by a wrench held by the operator. Extension rod 60 is formed with ofisets 66 which center the rod Within the sections 26 and 3t) and rod 60 is also formed with portions 68 which permit the rod 6-0 to be cut off at these points, if the length of the original extension rod is not necessary, and still coa'ct with the operators wrench. If the extension rod is to be left in the curb box the upper end terminates short of the yoke 36 so as not to interfere with the magnetic field or the tightening of the cap 43.

The curb box is installed as follows:

The service line 14 will usually be lying within an open trench and the bell will beplaced over the valve 20, base 16 will be under the valve 20 and the bell will be positioned to rest on base 16 between bosses 1S and dirt is filled in under the base 16 to support the weight of the entire curb'box. Lower section 26 has been previously cemented to the bell 10. Upper section 30 is then fitted within the lower section 26 and set screw 3?. is tightened to functionally engage the upper section 36). The dirt is then filled in around the curb box. After the fill has been leveled out the upper section may be pushed downwardly against the friction of set screw 32 until the cap 48 is flush with the ground.

Wings 46 will prevent the curb box from rotating when, the cap 48 is tightened or loosened and set screw 32- will resist efforts by children or tamperers to pull the cap or yoke out of the ground.

Should the distance from the service line 14 to the surface of the ground be less than that obtained by insertaesnsss provide for the set screw 32 when the lower section 26 is shortened.

An important safety feature is present in the telescoping sections, in that if an abnormal load is applied to the cap 48, such as would be applied if a car or truck ran over a curb box mounted in soft dirt, the upper section 30 will merely be pushed further into the lower section 26 and the stress will not be transferred to the service line, with the risk of breaking the line or the curb box. If necessary, the lower section 26 would break its cemented connection with bore 24 and telescope within bell 19 under extreme stress conditions.

It is, thus, seen that I have produced a curb box which is light weight, yet is non-corrosive and economical to manufacture, which may be easily located, is adjustable through a wide range, thereby eliminating large inventories and which will not be damaged, or damage the service line even though exposed to abnormal pressures.

In Fig. is shown a modification of the invention in which the tubular section 26 at its upper end is slotted at 76 to be engaged by the spring clamps 77 to contract the slotted end upon the telescoping section 30' and to provide the desired resistance to relative movement between the sections 26' and 30'. This structure may be used in lieu of the set screw 32 of Fig. l. Yoke 36' is cemented to the top of the section 30' and it has a wing portion 46 in which the magnet 44' is contained. The wing 46' has the same functions as the wing 46 of Fig. 2.

To releasably' secure the cap 48' to the upper end of the section 30', a pair of depending members 80 are provided,

each having an outer partially cylindrical surface 82,

closely fitted within the section 26 and spaced to provide longitudinally extending slOts'or key ways 85. At least a portion of the inner surface 84 of each member 80 is preferably conical as at seat 86 to provide a seat for the frusto-conical expansion nut 88 carried on the bolt 90. A key portion 91 is provided on the nut 8% and projects into one of the key Ways 84 to prevent the nut 88 from rotating upon rotation of the bolt 90 in either direction.

With the cap 48' applied to the section 39', rotation of the bolt $6 in one direction will pull the nut 88 inwardly to engage the seat 86 to deflect the member 80 outwardly into tight engagement with the inner wall of the section 30' to rigidly hold the cap 48 in position. Rotation of the bolt 90 in the opposite direction will cause the bolt to project from the cap 48' and the bolt may then be driven inwardly to remove the nut 88 from its expanding relationship with the member 86. The end of the bolt is staked over to prevent the nut 88 from being dislodged from its proper relationship with the member 80.

For larger size installations, the present invention may take the form of Fig. 7 wherein the bell 1G" and the lower tubular section 26" are of integral form. In practice, the bell may be formed by merely expanding the lower end of the section 26" over a mandrel. Upper section 30 is shown fully telescoped within the section 26" with the spring wire clamp 77' deflecting the upper end of the section 26" into binding relation with the section 30" yet permitting relative sliding action between the sections 26 and 30". It will be noted that the slots 76 of Fig. 5 have been omitted.

At its upper end, the section 36 has been enlarged to limit the telescoping action with the section 26". Cap 48" is seated within this enlargement portion of section 30". To releasably secure the cap 43 to the section 30", the cap 4?," has a pair of depending members 92 each having a partially cylindrical outer surface 94 and a converging rib member 96 defining a key. An expansion or wedge member 98 has a threaded centralaperature 10%) to receive the bolt 102 and outer portions having converging key ways 104 with which the rib members 96 engage. Rotation of the bolt 102 will draw the member 98 toward the bolt head 106 acting on the washer 108 and willdeflect the member 92 outwardly into rigid engagement with the inner wall of the section 30". As the cap 48 and sections 26" and 30 are preferably of plastic material, a magnetic Washer 110 may be conveniently supported on the member 98, as shown. it will be noted that no wing has been provided to engage the earth to prevent rotation of the section 30" when the cap 48" is removed by a wrench applied to the bolt head 106. Such structure is only needed in smaller sizes.

With the cap securing arrangement shown in Fig. 7, rotation of the bolt 102 in a direction to loosen the wedge member 98 will first project the bolt head above the top surface of the cap 48". If the bolt head isthen tapped, the wedge member 98 will then be dislodged from its expanding position and the cap 48" may then be removed.

As in the disclosure of the form of the invention of Fig. l, the modified forms of the invention are preferably of light weight, inert, non-corrosive, plastic material with the possible exception of the bolt which may be of brass or other non-corrosive metal.

I claim:

1. A curb box of light weight, non-corrosive, nonmagnetic material comprising a valve encompassing housing, a tubular section opening into said housing and extending therefrom, a second tubular section telescopingly engaging said first section, a yoke fixed to said second section, a wing extending from said yoke, a magnet af fixed to said yoke, and an expandable cap detachably mounted on the outer end of said second section.

2. In a curb box comprising a valve encompassing housing, a first tubular member extending from said housing, a second tubular member telescopingly engaging said first member, an extension rod within said members for operating a valve, said extension rod formed with means for coacting with valve operating means, olfsets along the length of said extension rod to center said rod within said members, portions spaced along said rod whereby said rod may be cut oif and wrench engaging surfaces formed on said rod adjacent said portions.

3. A curb box of inert, non-ferrous, non-magnetic material comprising a valve encompassing housing, a first tubular member opening into and extending from said housing, a second tubular member telescopingly engagmg said first tubular member, a cover removably affixed to the free end of said second tubular member and a magnet carried by said curb box in proximity to the free end of said second member.

4. A curb box of inert, non-ferrous, non-magnetic material comprising a valve encompassing housing, a first tubular member opening into and extending from said housing, a second tubular member telescopingly engage mg said first tubular member, means frictionally holding said first and second members together in slidable relationship, a cover removably ailixed to the outer end of said second tubular member and magnet means supported on said cover to aid in the locating thereof.

5. A. curb box of inert, non-metallic, non-magnetic material comprising a valve encompassing housing, a first tubular member opening into and extending from said housing, a second tubular member telescopingly engag ing said first tubular member, means maintaining said first member in slidable frictional engagement with said second member, a cover removably afiixed to the free end of said second member comprising a cap formed of said inert, non-metallic, non-magnetic material, a pair of diametrically opposed deflectable elements integrally depending from said cap having outer surfaces adapted to engage the inner surface of said second member and inclined wedgelike inner surfaces, a wedge member interposed between said elements engaging the inner surfaces thereof, exteriorly accessible means mounted in said cover adapted to axially translate said wedge member to radially ex pand said elements and a permanent magnet mounted in said cover.

6. In a curb box as in claim 5 wherein said magnet is in the form of an annular washer and said wedge translating means projects through the axial opening defined therein.

7. A curb box cover comprising a cap portion of inert, non-metallic, non-magnetic material, a pair of deflcctable elements integrally depending from said cap having cylindrical outer surfaces defined thereon and wedge-like inner surfaces, first key means defined on each of said elements, a wedge member interposed between said elements having wedge surfaces engaging the inner surfaces of said elements, second key means defined on said wedge member slidably cooperating with said first key means to prevent relative rotation of said wedge member and said elements, screw means rotatably mounted in said cover cooperating with threads formed on said wedge member to translate said wedge member relative to said elements to deflect said elements outwardly and a permanent mag net mounted in said cover.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 358,515 Warner Mar. 1, 1887 380,308 Barry Apr. 3, 1888 906,886 Jacob Dec. 15, 1908 986,905 Carlson Mar. 14, 1911 996,956 Walcott July 4, 1911 997,412 Paradine July 11, 1911 1,349,610 Gibney Aug. 17, 1920 1,975,976 Robinson Oct. 9, 1934 2,527,681 Lewis et a1. Oct. 31, 1950 2,828,762 Swank Apr. 1, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS 748,701 France Apr. 25, 1933 

